‘Deplorable’ benches in Harrogate set to be refurbished

Benches ‘left to decay’ in the gardens next to Harrogate Library are due to be refurbished over the winter.

The nine benches are just some of those set to see a new lease of life at the hands of Harrogate Borough Council (HBC), which is responsible for more than 700 public benches.

This is not before time for one resident who says they are falling to bits due to old age.

Alan Lunn, from Nidd village, frequently walks through the gardens next to the library and told the Harrogate Advertiser that their poor state is letting the rest of Harrogate down.

He said: “The benches have been there for years. I am 71 and they must have been there for 70 years.

“They are in such a deplorable state because the wood has just gone and when you put that next to a library it is disgusting.

“They may have been vandalised, but it is dangerous now. Any child climbing onto that is going to get splinters in their hand.

“They have just been left to decay. It is because they are old and need replacing. The council should address it.

“They might be short of money, but when you look at the amount pumped into the Tour de France they could have saved something for the seats.”

More than 350 of the benches looked after by HBC’s parks and environmental services are within the Harrogate area.

Others due to be refurbished or replaced by the council are on the Stray.

An HBC spokesman said: “We have an on-going programme of repair and refurbishment and later this year we intend to continue the programme started last year of replacing or refurbishing benches on areas of the Stray.

“We are also aware that the benches at Library Gardens are in a poor state and have plans in place to refurbish all nine benches this winter in time for next spring.”